Sydney will play host to AFL players from around the world during the U16 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships to be played from July 6-13 in Blacktown.

Premiership player and former Carlton captain Anthony Koutoufides has been named head coach of the World Team.

The 2013 squad will showcase the skills of talented international youngsters from South Africa, England, Ireland and Denmark, as well the best upcoming AFL multicultural players from across the nation.

“The World Team provides international and multicultural AFL players with elite training, personal development and AFL talent pathway opportunities,” said Anthony Koutoufides.

“Coming from a Greek and Italian background, I am excited to be given the opportunity to coach the World Team.

“I hope to uncover great talent, such as Sudanese footballer Duom Dawam who represented the World Team in 2012 and was selected into the 2013 Level 1 AIS-AFL Academy after his outstanding performance at the Championships.”

The World Team plays a key role in the AFL International and Multicultural growth strategy.

The AFL’s Kevin Sheehan, Chris Johnson, Michael Ablett and Darren Flanigan selected the final squad of 26 players.

The selection process for the international representatives for the World Team was vast and extensive with many players considered from across the globe.

Multicultural players from across Australia were selected following the National Multicultural Talent camp held in Victoria in May.

The World Team will take part in a two-day high performance training camp from July 4 in Sydney prior to competing in the NAB AFL Championships.

The Under 16 NAB AFL Championships will be played from July 6 -13, coinciding with the AFL’s Multicultural Round which will celebrate ‘Many cultures. One game’.

The World Team will compete against the South Pacific, The Flying Boomerangs and WA North-West.

2013 AFL World Team squad: